Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder: new pictures show bespoke roof setup

Lightened drop top will swap turbo-four power for high-revving unit of its sibling

Development of the most driver-focused version of the Porsche718 Boxster is now at an advanced stage, suggesting that the car is due for reveal later this year, before arriving on roads in winter.

The upcoming sports car has been caught on camera wearing almost no camouflage, showing that engineers are finalising the settings of the model, which will use a naturally aspirated, flat six engine in place of the regular Boxster’s four-cylinder alternatives. Development cars have been spotted with the roof up and down, showing the bespoke roof and rear deck.

The next Boxster Spyder, which will be heavily related to the 718 Cayman GT4, will use a 911 GT3-sourced 4.0-litre engine in place of the current hottest engine in the 718 range, the turbocharged 2.5-litre flat four, in order to stay more closely aligned with its predecessors — which have all been hailed by enthusiasts as excellent driver’s cars.

Output for the 4.0-litre unit is rated at 493bhp at 8250rpm in the 911 GT3, but the Boxster Spyder’s power may be slightly down on this to leave breathing space for its more expensive and larger sibling.

The previous Boxster Spyder used a 3.8-litre flat six taken from the 911 Carrera of the time and was good for 370bhp. The recently launched Boxster GTS and related Cayman GTS use highly strung four-pot engines with 361bhp, so the new Spyder will need to produce more power to cement itself as the top Boxster. An output of around 425bhp seems likely.

To signify its driver focus, the car will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but those after maximum on-track performance will be able to select the option of a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission.

The Boxster Spyder will also go on a hefty diet, ditching cabin insulation and even a radio and air conditioning. The Boxster’s electric folding soft top will also go, with a manually removable ‘tent top’ in its place. These weight savings will combine with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber to make the car the sharpest-handling production Boxster yet produced.

Much of the design treatment applied the Boxster Spyder will mirror those featured on the Boxster GTS. The Cayman GT4 will likely get the same adjustments, along with a more prominent rear wing to signify its even harder status.